One room at a time but if you are getting people in e. g. Kitchen/ bathroom then you need to book them in as anyone worth their salt will be booked up. In fact if you need a builder or a decorator book them NOW or when you're ready you'll have a long wait (maybe a year for a good builder) If you're doing it all yourself then that won't be a problem.
TLC Tips for First Home: From Bathrooms to Banisters and Everything In-Between!
- Thread starter woofiedog
- Start date
@medic_man thank you!
@woofiedog I used to work for a plumber and we also did property maintenance and full refurbs, including bathrooms, obviously
, and fitting kitchens. You don't want to be dragging bathroom suites upstairs after you've just decorated the hallway or people dragging stuff through your nice new kitchen or newly decorated hall. I'd also say live with it for a bit before you dive in. If you're planning to wallpaper, get some samples, stick them up and leave them for a couple of weeks, walk passed often and see if you still like them.
, and fitting kitchens. You don't want to be dragging bathroom suites upstairs after you've just decorated the hallway or people dragging stuff through your nice new kitchen or newly decorated hall. I'd also say live with it for a bit before you dive in. If you're planning to wallpaper, get some samples, stick them up and leave them for a couple of weeks, walk passed often and see if you still like them.andy_pandy
New member
Try and have one room out of action at a time. Apart from big jobs like rewiring.
@andy_pandy that's a fab idea, somewhere to retreat when you've had enough 
@adam1982 yes I've heard of doubling our budget! we're incredibly blessed to sort of be able to do that, though we're hoping to be wise about what we can do ourselves, and what we really should let professionals do. That way hopefully we spend what we should where it counts, but can save by not being shy of taking on jobs we're safe to do 
we're incredibly blessed to sort of be able to do that, though we're hoping to be wise about what we can do ourselves, and what we really should let professionals do. That way hopefully we spend what we should where it counts, but can save by not being shy of taking on jobs we're safe to do @woofiedog - seriously though, if you've the money get it all done by professionals - particularly if you don't have much experience.
You can save money doing tiling, papering, painting and the like, but, for me, those are the things you notice and they're worth paying for.
Basic plumbing and electrics and general handy jobs are worth doing yourself.
You can save money doing tiling, papering, painting and the like, but, for me, those are the things you notice and they're worth paying for.
Basic plumbing and electrics and general handy jobs are worth doing yourself.
@fatseasex - well, there's a third option. Have you seen my new patio?
virginia1981
New member
There is a site called DIY on a budget loads of great ideas xxx charity shops car boots and the bargain part of any shops you may need to visit often but I have friends who got a 600 kitchen sink for 50 with bits missing they got from Internet for 10 xxx bargain corner in IKEA is so useful sometimes xxx good luck in your new home xxx * we did similar and did 1 room before we moved in the living room and 1 bedroom so we could at least chill xxx air fryer slow cooker and micro while your without kitchen is so useful xxx
@virginia1981 that sounds awesome! I will definitely check that site out because I loooove a bargain! Makes shopping so much more exciting 
Were blessed to be able to stay where we are while we get the larger jobs done so hopefully can have a liveable space while we finish up the less important/more time-taking jobs. Ohhh yes, I've already been and got myself the micro I want to take with me, doubles as a convection oven
Were blessed to be able to stay where we are while we get the larger jobs done so hopefully can have a liveable space while we finish up the less important/more time-taking jobs. Ohhh yes, I've already been and got myself the micro I want to take with me, doubles as a convection oven
andy_pandy
New member
There's a huge amount you can do yourself. My husband and I aren't trades, although I was a welder and he's an engineer. I teach now and he punches keys, so it wasn't really in our skill set. We are on the third house now. We can paint, tile, demolish, point, plumb, fit a kitchen, cut worktops, like for like electricals, chase walls, hang doors, fit skirting, basically anything that isn't structural or you need to be licensed for eg gas. Trades will do it much faster and won't take 4 attempts but you can save a fortune. Only thing I can't do is plaster. I can patch but...it's not excellent. We got the Collins DIY manual and learned as we went. First couple of things were pretty bad, but now we're pretty good. We had some electricians in rewiring, and I was building a staircase. You say you'll bever use SOHCAHTOA from maths in real life...but that's how I built my stairs.
@andy_pandy oh my goodness wow!! Honestly I read your comment and I wish I was as patient as you are! I definitely want us to take on the jobs that we absolutely can do, but as a perfectionist there will be some that for both mine and my husband's sanity we will have to pay for professionals to do. We do have friends and family in trades as well so they are a fabulous network of help and support 
andy_pandy
New member
A really good thing is to see if you have a local library of things. It's like a club, you pay a couple of quid a month, and then you can rent things, often insanely cheaply. Saves buying them and then storing them in the garage forever. They usually have lots of power tools, wallpaper tables, that sort of thing. They also often rent things like travel cots and buggies. Most cities have them, bit more difficult if rural.
@andy_pandy that's a great idea! I definitely wouldn't have thought to look around for that. Also I don't have a garage, just a garden shed so definitely don't want to be buying bulky items we don't need! Thank you so much